The Junction, the new neighbourhood at Wellington Place is saying farewell to summer with a huge party - and everyone is invited.
From 6pm on Saturday 16 September, get yourself down to the secret garden, a new green space that was once part of the old Leeds railway.
Located just next to the 665 apartments from The Junction, the End Of Summer Party is the perfect example of how the new neighbourhood shines a spotlight on local independents, and is creating a new way of living right in the heart of the city.
The farewell to summer will be a proper Leeds affair, with some of the city's favourite independent food and drink companies providing masterclasses, food stalls and a pop-up bar on the landscaped space at Monk Bridge Viaduct.
The secret garden overlooks Wellington Place, and of course, the Leeds skyline. / Image: Unsplash
Shouk! has been on the Leeds foodie scene for a few years now, bringing Leeds flavour-packed pittas and falafels aplenty from Trinity Kitchen and popups at Wellington Place, North Brewing Co's Springwell and a whole host of private events.
Now its The Junction's turn for a taste of the authentic Middle Eastern street food - and we really can't think of a better menu to say goodbye to summer with.
Drinkswise, Wolfe Bros, another local favourite you might recognise from its award-winning Yorkshire distillery. The popular gin makers are just three years old, but have plenty of experience in creating the perfect tipple.
Wolfe Bros actually comes from the same people behind Call Lane's own Roland's and secret jazz bar, The Domino - so these guys are perfect to quiz about making the perfect gin.
The best of Wolfe Bros gin will be available from the pick 'n' mix G&T bar at The Junction this weekend, whilst The Domino Club will be running a masterclass, sharing the secrets behind creating a Gin Junction cocktail.
Masterclasses will run on a first-come-first-served basis on the night, so make sure to get there with plenty of time to secure a space.
Offering a different way to celebrate than the usual offerings in the city centre, The Junction is only ten minutes from Leeds Train Station - and where else will you have the chance to spend the evening watching the sun go down with a glass of gin in hand, hanging out with your mates and listening to the sounds of Bare Brass Band?
Tickets are just £3, with all proceeds set to be donated to LATCH: Leeds Action to Create Homes, a Leeds-based charity that helps to transform derelict and run-down houses in suburbs like Chapeltown, Harehills and Burley.
To make sure you don't miss out on all the fun, get a ticket booked via Eventbrite here.
About The Junction
The new green neighbourhood, featuring 665 apartments to rent, has emerged just moments from Leeds city centre – and it has some seriously swoon-worthy features.
Outdoor event spaces, private dining rooms, green spaces, 24 hour security, and the coolest walk to work in the city – that's just the beginning.
Check out some of these amenities that everyone living at The Junction will be able to take advantage of right here.
Feature Image - Supplied, The Junction
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Kevin Sinfield will return to Leeds for his final 7 in 7 challenge in honour of Rob Burrow
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Declan Kelly
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
Sophie Smith -
14th September 2023 
